Congress approves 14.5 million in research funding

SDSM&T News
501 E. Saint Joseph Street • Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
Phone: (605) 394-6082/2554 • Fax: (605) 394-6177
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2003
Contact: Steve Buchholz, Public Information Manager, 394-6082
Congress Approves $14.5 Million In Research Funding
The defense spending bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Sept. 25, includes $14.5 million in federal funding to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and its research and development partners for Department of Defense projects.
Each of the projects is based on a partnership between Tech and the Army Research Laboratory, first established three years ago with support from South Dakota Senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson. That effort expanded in recent years to include AeroMet Corporation, RPM and Associates, the Air Force Research Lab, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University and the Edison Welding Institute.
The proposed funding for 2004 defense research and development projects surpasses funding for previous years, and is a reflection of the university’s dedication to bring research and development funding to the community. Two factors have driven the steady growth in these projects.
•
Tech faculty and administrators have developed stronger relationships with the Army Research Laboratory, learning more about mutual research interests, expertise and the military’s needs
•
The state of South Dakota has gained more influence in the appropriations process.
Following are descriptions of the projects:
$6 Million - Advanced Materials Processing
A variety of research initiatives are included, including novel new membrane materials for protective clothing for the individual soldier, development of lightweight polymer composites for use in protective transparent armor, carbon
-more-
-page 2-
nanotubes for cooling systems, laser-free form processing of titanium, friction stir welding to replace traditional spot welds and rivets and to join very thin, lightweight materials such as aluminum and tin, and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy System (LIBS) for applications in homeland defense for detecting agents in air conditioning ducts or residues on other surfaces.
$4.3 Million - Future Affordable Multi-Utility (FAMU) Materials for the Army Future Combat Systems
The goal of this partnership between the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University is to facilitate the development of unmanned vehicles for the Army's planned fleet of Future Combat Systems (FCS). One goal is to create strong, lightweight materials, allowing the vehicles to operate on less fuel and to carry a larger payload.
$1.3 Million - Materials Joining for Army Weapons Systems
This partnership involving the Army Research Lab and Edison Welding Institute is designed to develop and transition advanced materials joining technologies for aluminum, titanium and composites.
$2.4 Million - Laser-Additive Manufacturing
This partnership involving the Army Research Lab, RPM and Associates of Rapid City and AeroMet Corporation of Eden Prairie, Minn. will refine the process that uses a laser is used to melt and shape titanium alloy powder into three-dimensional objects.
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SDSM&T News
501 E. Saint Joseph Street • Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
Phone: (605) 394-6082/2554 • Fax: (605) 394-6177
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2003
Contact: Steve Buchholz, Public Information Manager, 394-6082
Congress Approves $14.5 Million In Research Funding
The defense spending bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Sept. 25, includes $14.5 million in federal funding to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and its research and development partners for Department of Defense projects.
Each of the projects is based on a partnership between Tech and the Army Research Laboratory, first established three years ago with support from South Dakota Senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson. That effort expanded in recent years to include AeroMet Corporation, RPM and Associates, the Air Force Research Lab, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University and the Edison Welding Institute.
The proposed funding for 2004 defense research and development projects surpasses funding for previous years, and is a reflection of the university’s dedication to bring research and development funding to the community. Two factors have driven the steady growth in these projects.
•
Tech faculty and administrators have developed stronger relationships with the Army Research Laboratory, learning more about mutual research interests, expertise and the military’s needs
•
The state of South Dakota has gained more influence in the appropriations process.
Following are descriptions of the projects:
$6 Million - Advanced Materials Processing
A variety of research initiatives are included, including novel new membrane materials for protective clothing for the individual soldier, development of lightweight polymer composites for use in protective transparent armor, carbon
-more-
-page 2-
nanotubes for cooling systems, laser-free form processing of titanium, friction stir welding to replace traditional spot welds and rivets and to join very thin, lightweight materials such as aluminum and tin, and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy System (LIBS) for applications in homeland defense for detecting agents in air conditioning ducts or residues on other surfaces.
$4.3 Million - Future Affordable Multi-Utility (FAMU) Materials for the Army Future Combat Systems
The goal of this partnership between the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University is to facilitate the development of unmanned vehicles for the Army's planned fleet of Future Combat Systems (FCS). One goal is to create strong, lightweight materials, allowing the vehicles to operate on less fuel and to carry a larger payload.
$1.3 Million - Materials Joining for Army Weapons Systems
This partnership involving the Army Research Lab and Edison Welding Institute is designed to develop and transition advanced materials joining technologies for aluminum, titanium and composites.
$2.4 Million - Laser-Additive Manufacturing
This partnership involving the Army Research Lab, RPM and Associates of Rapid City and AeroMet Corporation of Eden Prairie, Minn. will refine the process that uses a laser is used to melt and shape titanium alloy powder into three-dimensional objects.
#30#

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